Exploration of paper topic- Deforestation

Deforestation has many causes- slash and burn agriculture, clear cut logging, acid rain, mountain top removal coal mining, to name a few of the more well known causes. Many of these causes have alternate methods that could be used- such as clear cut logging. If the logging industry were more selective about the trees that were cut, and the reforestation work given a greater importance, then there wouldn't be such a problem. However, the clear cut logging is easier and cheaper, and companies are often not willing to do more than the absolute minimum required by the Federal Government.

Deforestation has many ecological side effects. It affects the atmosphere when the trees that have been cut are burned (as in slash and burn agriculture and mountain top removal coal mining), releasing large quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere. Trees are very efficient at sequestering carbon, so when they are burned, all of the carbon that they have removed from the atmosphere is then released in the smoke. CO2 is one of the many greenhouse gases, so the link between deforestation and global warming is pretty evident. Deforestation also effects the water cycle. Trees play an important role in regulating the flow of water. The roots allow rainfall to sink deeper into the soil, reaching the slow moving water table. If the water does not reach the water table, it will move on the surface, at a much higher speed. This can cause flash flooding and mudslides, along with soil erosion.

Edit: 1-26-2010

Further research into deforestation shows that there are many more sources pertaining to Brazil and the Americas than to any other area. It is logical, then to narrow the focus of my topic to the Americas. I will look at the aridation of the area, and the effects on the quality of the soil. This should give me enough room to work with, but also be specific enough that it shouldn't be too difficult to find relevant sources.